National Sports Center makes an appearance in People magazine

National Sports Center featured as the location in People magazine Olympic Insider photo spread

A two-page spread fashion photo of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team leads off People magazine’s 10-page ‘Olympic Insider’ preview of the Sochi Olympic Winter Games. The photo was taken on December 16 at the National Sports Center’s Schwan Center, during the team’s training camp at the Schwan Super Rink.

The photo spread appears in the February 10, 2014 issue,

Members of Team USA pose for an Olympic preview article in People magainze. The photo was taken on December 16 at the National Sports Center’s Schwan Center, during the team’s training camp at the Schwan Super Rink. Photo courtesy of Barclay Kruse

which will be on newsstands January 31, 2014.

“So what will it take for the 2014 women’s hockey team to dominate in Sochi?” writes People reporter Karen S. Schneider in the accompanying article. “Grit, focus, speed – and great mascara.”

Six players posed for the shoot: Jessie Vetter, Kendall Coyne, Kelli Stack, Hilary Knight, Kacey Bellamy and Brianna Decker. On the day of the shoot, the team practiced in the morning. After a quick shower and change of clothes, the players walked from the Schwan Super Rink to the Grand Hall. Once there, they gulped down a quick lunch and then went under the expert hands of hair stylists, makeup artists, were fitted into their gowns and wore $1.8 million of diamond jewelry from JB Hudson Jewelers.

For the players, it was something new.

“It’s out of our comfort zone having the makeup and the hair, but it’s different and fun and we’re enjoying it,” said Vetter, the team’s goalie.

“Everyone is here to make you look good,” said forward Kendall Coyne. “Normally we’re just in a hoody and sweats to get to the rink, so this is a pretty neat experience.”